July 25, 2008 6:05 AM
As a child heads for college
Ben and Zach will both be seniors at Liberty this year. Sophia is leaving August 13 to live life away from home for the first time, but has chosen Liberty too - so she will have a year with her brothers.
Von sent me this poem, reminding me we can all insert "she" for the "he" - either way, it's a moment in motherhood that comes too soon:
Hold Fast the Summerby Mary W. Abel
Hold fast the summer. It is the beauty of the day and all it contains.
The laughter and work and finally the sleep. The quiet.
Oh September, do not put your weight upon my mind.
For I know he will be going.
This son of mine who is now a man — he must go.
Time will lace my thoughts with joyous years.
The walls will echo his “Hello.” His caring will be around each corner.
His tears will be tucked into our memory book.
Life calls him beyond our reach — to different walls.
New faces, shiny halls, shy smiles, many places.
Greater learning — he must go.
But wait, before he leaves, be sure he knows you love him.
Hide the lump in your throat as you hug him.
He will soon be home again — but he will be different.
The little boy will have disappeared.
How I wished I could take September and shake it, for it came too soon.
I must look to the beauty of each new day, and silently give thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the author: Mary W. Abel of Guilford, California, wrote this poem in September 1976 as her son prepared to leave home to begin his college education. Now, thirty years later, he has three teenage daughters who will be heading off to college in a few short years. (As printed
in The Lamplighter in November 2005).
Thanks, Von!
Posted in Family, Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
I feel that way about the public school, with my nonverbal son.
Posted by: Julana | July 25, 2008 8:04 AM
